In a major relief Congress leader Shashi Tharoor was granted regular bail by a Delhi court in a four year old case related to his wife Sunanda Pushkar’s death on Saturday.
Former Union Minister and MP from Thiruvananthapuram was summoned as an accused in the case. He appeared before the court and informed it that he had already been granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court on July 5.
On Thursday, a sessions court granted anticipatory bail to Tharoor on surety of Rs one lakh on two conditions that he cannot travel abroad without prior permission of the court and he could not temper with the evidence and witnesses.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal then directed him to furnish a bail bond of Rs one lakh and one surety of like amount as directed by the sessions court and converted the interim relief to a regular bail. The Congress leader had moved the court for anticipatory bail apprehending arrest.
Tharoor was summoned in court after a 3000-page chargsheet was filed against him by the SIT probing the case.
Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in a suite of Leela luxury hotel situated in capital’s diplomatic enclave in January 2014. The couple was staying in the hotel, as the official bungalow was being renovated.
The court today handed over a copy of the charge sheet and the documents filed along with it to Tharoor and posted the matter for scrutiny on July 26. Delhi Police and the counsel appearing for Tharoor have also opposed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea seeking the court’s consent to assist it in the case.
While Tharoor said Swamy had no locus and he was a stranger to the case, the Delhi Police said the application was not maintainable.
The sessions court had observed that the prosecution’s apprehensions that Shashi Tharoor may flee offshore or influence witnesses were “without any basis”.
Certain conditions were also imposed on him, including that he would not tamper with the evidence or leave the country without obtaining court permission.”
The court had noted that Tharoor had joined the investigation as and when called by the police. He has not been arrested by the probe agency so far.
Tharoor is a sitting member of the Lok Sabha and was Minister of State for External Affairs in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
In his plea for anticipatory bail, Tharoor had submitted that the charge sheet was filed and the SIT had categorically stated that the probe was concluded and his custodial interrogation was not required.
He was summoned by the court as an accused in the case on June 5, asking him to appear before it Saturday, observing there was sufficient ground to proceed against him. He has been charged under sections 498A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Tharoor, however dismissed the chargesheet filed as “preposterous”. He was quoted saying, “I will continue to vigorously contest these charges and maintain my steadfast conviction that ultimately truth will prevail through the judicial system that we have privileged to have in our country.”
The much-anticipated teaser for L2: Empuraan, the second chapter of the planned trilogy directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, has been unveiled, offering a glimpse of a darker, more brutal narrative. Starring Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal, the film continues the story of Stephen Nedumpally, also known as Khureshi Ab’raam, a character that mesmerized audiences in Lucifer.
The teaser debuted at a grand event attended by the film’s key players, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, and Mammootty, who released the teaser in style. Clocking in at 143 seconds, the preview immediately sets a grim tone, beginning in Qaraqosh, a war-torn town in Iraq. The atmosphere is tense, underscored by the chilling phrase, “Death to the Evil.”
One of the standout moments in the teaser recalls PK Ramdas (Sachin Khedekar) advising Priyadarshini (Manju Warrier) in the first film: “If one day you feel everything is falling apart and I’m not around, the only person you can turn to is Stephen.” This sentiment reverberates through the teaser as it shifts to Stephen’s iconic black Ambassador car, now layered with dust—an ominous sign of his long absence.
The suspense builds as a voice declares, “He leads the most powerful mercenary group in Asia,” introducing audiences to Stephen’s transformation into a figure commanding immense influence and fear. The teaser’s climactic moments highlight Mohanlal’s commanding return as Khureshi Ab’raam, warning of the perils of dealing with the devil.
Star-Studded Cast and Stellar Crew
Joining Mohanlal in this cinematic spectacle are Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, and others reprising their roles from Lucifer. The film also features Saniya Iyappan, Saikumar, Baiju Santhosh, Fazil, and Sachin Khedekar in key roles.
The story, penned by Murali Gopy, is brought to life with the expertise of cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev, editor Akhilesh Mohan, and composer Deepak Dev, whose score amplifies the teaser’s intensity.
As the teaser hints at power struggles, deceit, and vengeance, L2: Empuraan sets the stage for an explosive continuation of this gripping saga, leaving fans eagerly awaiting its release.
The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) has officially announced the results for the Winter 2024 diploma exams. Students who appeared for these exams, held in December 2024, can now access their results on MSBTE’s official website, msbte.org.in.
To check the MSBTE Winter Exam Result 2025, candidates must have their enrollment or seat numbers ready. The results are accessible via a direct link available on the website.
Navigate to the “Examination” section and click on “Winter 2024 Exam Result.”
Enter your enrollment number or seat number in the required fields.
Click on the “Show Result” button to view your marksheet.
Download and save the PDF for future reference.
Details mentioned on the MSBTE Winter Diploma results:
The MSBTE Winter Diploma Marksheet 2025 includes the following information:
Student’s name
Register number
Course name
Marks obtained in each subject
Subject codes and names
Total marks
Maximum marks
Result status (Pass/Fail)
The announcement is crucial for diploma students across Maharashtra as it determines their academic progress and eligibility for future courses or career opportunities.
Students are advised to verify all details on their marksheets and contact the board in case of discrepancies. For further updates, visit the official MSBTE website.
The Waqf Amendment Bill is poised for a final vote on January 29 in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee had been tasked with reviewing the bill by November 29, which was then extended to February 13, approved 14 changes to the draft. The 44 amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected by its chairman BJP MP Jagadambika Pal.
The Opposition had accused the BJP of bias in several sittings of the committee leading to the suspension of several MPs, including Kalyan Banerjee of Trinamool Congress and Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM, both vocal critics of the Bill.
The Opposition MPs had also written to Speaker Om Birla against Pal, saying he was rushing the Bill to gain political mileage ahead of the Delhi Assembly election due to be held on February 5.
Earlier, reports had said Banerjee had broken a glass during a verbal altercation while in deliberations with BJP MP and former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay.
The Bill aims to reform Waqf Board administration, mandating the inclusion of non-Muslim and women members. The Central Waqf Council’s composition would also change, incorporating a Union minister, MPs, ex-judges, and individuals of national repute, regardless of religious affiliation. Crucially, the Council’s land acquisition powers would be removed. A controversial clause restricts donations to Muslims practicing their faith for at least five years, prompting concerns about religious freedom.
While proponents claim the bill empowers Muslim women and children, critics, including the Congress and the DMK, allege it infringes upon Articles 15 and 30 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right of minorities to administer educational institutions. The final report is expected by January 31.
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